The Message of Christmas!

(Luke 2:11)

By Pastor Kelly Sensenig  

The new atheists are really pushing their agenda in this country as they continue to try and override the truth about Christmas. An atheist group has unveiled an anti-religion placard in various state capitals in our country. The saying reads like this: 

“There are no gods,

No devils, no angels,

No heaven or hell.

There is only our natural world.

Religion is but myth and superstition

That hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”

One atheist said, "Merry Mythmas," as he shared his absolute disbelief in Christ’s virgin birth, and entrance into the world as the Savior. You know, we need to stand up against the new atheistic agenda in our country today, and remember that this nation was built upon a Christian ethic and belief in God and the Bible. One recent news commentator, who was not even a Christians said, “After all these years, Jesus still gets people mad and upset!” Yes, it’s true. The name of Jesus upsets those who are anti-God, atheistic, and against the founding principles of this country. Friend, I can assure you that the founding fathers of this country came to the shores of this land with a Bible, not a Koran, in their hand! The Pilgrims who landed on Plymouth Rock were Christians – not Muslims.

Our congress said in 1892, “No purpose of action against religion can be imputed to any legislation, state or national, because this is a religious people … This is a Christian nation.” For this reason we can contemplate the true Christmas message today, a message that our nation as honored since its inception.

In Luke 2:11 we have the real message of Christmas. Do you know what the true Christmas message and story is all about? 

Luke 2:11 says:

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

What a message this was that the angel brought to the lowly shepherds on the night of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a message that has changed the lives of millions upon millions of people who have put their hope in the virgin born Son of God, who died on the cross, to give them eternal life with God forever in Heaven. Let’s talk about the real Christmas message at this time of the year. Let’s hear the Christmas angels their great glad tidings tell!

There is a six-fold message to the Christmas story.

1.   It’s personal – “to you”

Luke 2:11

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Christmas has a personal note attached to it. The message of Christmas is for you! Its whole purpose is related to you. Jesus came into the word for you! “For unto you is born this day.” This is exciting to realize at this time of the year. Christmas came because Christ was concerned about you!!

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Christmas is not about giving to others but Christ giving to you. He came to ultimately die on the cross for you! “For unto you is born this day!” If you will allow this message to touch and change your heart, you will have a different type of Christmas this year!

Christ entered the world of mankind and this is why we have the Christmas story. Christ entered the world because He loves you and wants to save you from hell and judgment. “For unto you is born this day!” One of the Christmas carols gives us the personal note of Christmas.

O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born in us today.

2.   It’s miraculous – “is born”

Luke 2:11

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

This speaks of the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus Christ, when He came into this world as a baby, pure and undefiled. It was a miraculous birth! The Bible tells me so! Isaiah 7:14 prophesied of Christ’s birth, over 700 years before He came, and said: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

The record of Christ’s birth is given in Matthew 1:20-25:

“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.”

Joseph and Mary were in the betrothel state which was a covenant of marriage that preceded the consummation of the marriage in physical relations. There was no physical relationship between Joseph and Mary and this is why Christ was miraculously formed in the womb by the work of the Holy Spirit.   

There are more people today that want to “go green” during this Christmas season than there are people who want to “go with the virgin birth.” We have our priorities and belief systems reversed in this country today.

Luke 1:26-35 gives the true record:

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

The importance of the birth of Christ cannot be overestimated. If Christ was not born of a virgin, He would have inherited the sin nature of the human race, through Adam, and we would not have a Savior today. There is an absolute necessity for the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. Without a divine birth we would not have a divine solution to salvation. Without a virgin birth there would be no hope for Heaven and salvation from hell.

“Late in time, Behold Him come

Offspring of the virgins’ womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhood see,

Hail the incarnate Deity.”

This is the real message of Christmas! The long awaited coming of the Messiah, who was to be born of the virgin Mary, finally took place. There must be a virgin birth and there was a virgin birth in spite of what the liberals say, the atheists deny, and the left-winged liberals of our country believe! I’m loading the Bible shotgun against the haters of God and Christianity!  Maybe, if we aim the truth at them long enough, the truth of God will eventually break the hardness of their hearts!

Romans 1:16

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

3.   It’s timely - “this day”

Luke 2:11

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

We sometime have very busy schedules to keep around the Christmas season. We must attend family gatherings and special church services. We also need to buy some gifts for our family and friends. We have variious schedules that we must maintain. But did you know, God kept His schedule perfectly, when He sent His Son into the world of lost humanity. God is always right on schedule! “For unto you is born this day!”

Galatians 4:4-5 puts it this way:

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

God sent His Son into the world according to His perfect timetable, His perfect schedule, and according to His perfect plan. God is never early nor is He ever late! He’s always right on time. The movement of God is always according to His sovereign schedule. 

I’m so very thankful that Jesus came into this world, so He could ultimately die on the cross and set us free from sin’s penalty (hell) and sin’s power!  This is the message of Christmas! As Christ came and was born “on this day,” as the Scripture says, maybe it’s time for you to be saved “this day” (today) through Jesus Christ. The Bible says that "Now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). You can receive God's free gift and offer of eternal life today and be saved from hell, when you place your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

4.   It’s prophetic – “in the city of David”

Luke 2:11

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

One of the Christmas hymns says:

“With the angelic host proclaim

Christ is born in Bethlehem!

Hark the herald angels sing,

Glory to the newborn King!”

The Bible teaches that Jesus was born in a stable on the backside of the Bethlehem. The truth that Jesus would be born in an obscure place called Bethlehem was prophesied by Micah.

The prophecy of Micah 5:2 reveals:

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

Did you know that the name Ephrata is in the Bible? I actually live in a town called Ephrata. Pennsylvania. The real spiritual people live in Ephrata!! Seriously, the word Ephrata actually means fruitfulness. It certainly was a fruitful city for it was the city where Christ was born.

Micah 5:2 says, “though thou be little among the thousands of Judah” He was, as someone stated: “One small child in a land of a thousand dreams!”  The land of Judea had 1,000 family towns and Bethlehem was a town that was almost too small to be included with the others. Christ’s birth took place in an obscure place but became famous.

My friend, God chose a humble beginning for His Son. He was born in the small place called Bethlehem in a stable or stall and today we look back and see how prophecy was perfectly fulfilled. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David!" This is the message of Christmas!

“O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.”

5.   It’s wonderful -  “a Savior”

Luke 2:11

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

This is what makes Christmas so wonderful! Jesus came to be our Savior from everlasting hell and damnation. Yes, the baby in the cradle would soon be the Christ of the cross! Jesus was born in the shadow of a tree - the tree of Calvary! The real purpose for the birth of Jesus Christ was to bring God’s Son into the world, so He might ultimately shed His precious blood, die upon the cross of Calvary, and become the Savior of mankind.

Mark this down; the real meaning and message of Christmas is that Jesus came into the world to be your Savior and my Savior!

Matthew 1:21 states:

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

It's amazing how the true message and meaning of Christmas is lost today in the midst of materialism, reindeers, Santa Clause, Frosty the Snowman and all the rest that goes along with the Christmas season. In fact, the true message of Christmas is not even about giving to charities; it’s not about giving gifts to others; it’s about Christ giving to us! He came to save us from hell and Satan’s power.

“God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy.”

This is the message of Christmas! Jesus came to be our Savior and this is truly wonderful! He is the only Savior, the only Way to God the Father.

Jesus said in John 14:6:

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

In Acts 4:12 the Bible states:

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

6.   It’s specific  - “who is Christ, the Lord”

Luke 2:11

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

The title “Christ” means anointed one. Jesus was the Messiah sent by God. The prophecies reveal how the coming personal Christ (Messiah) was to be the revelation of God’s very own being and existence. The term Christ points to His deity – He shared God’s own existence as the eternal God.

Isaiah 7:14 reveals:

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

The designation “Lord” (“Christ the Lord” – Luke 2:11) points to how Jesus was the sovereign Master of the universe, which is another direct reference to His deity, since God was given this same title in the Old Testament.

Exodus 34:23

“Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord God, the God of Israel.”

Psalm 38:15

For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.

“Who is He in yonder stall,

At whose feet the shepherds fall?

Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!

Tis the Lord, the King of glory,

At his feet we humbly fall

Crown Him, crown Him Lord of all.”

My friend, Jesus was born as the Messiah, the only true God, the King of Kings, and the everlasting God!

Matthew 1:23

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

“O Come with us abide with us,

Our Lord Emmanuel!”

This is the message of Christmas! If you miss the true message of Christmas, then you will miss the opportunity to enter Heaven someday when you die! Christ entered this world to die on the cross, to pay sin’s penalty in your place, so you can enter the glorious place called Heaven, when you die, instead of hell. This is the true message of Christmas!

If you will just place your faith in Christ, to save your soul from hell, then you can receive the gift of salvation and eternal life that Jesus has promised to grant you. All it takes is a step of faith.  

Jesus promised in John 6:47:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”  

"Dear God, I thank You that Jesus Christ was born to die on the cross.

I believe Jesus Christ was judged in my place on the cross in order to save me from hell.

I place my personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ right now to grant me salvation from hell.

I receive His free gift of eternal life. In Jesus' name, amen."

If you have made this your own prayer and expression of faith in Christ,

please take the time to send me an email.

I will pray for you and help you in your new Christian life .

Pastor Kelly's email